Barcelona is starting the new season with a problem they didn’t exactly have on the agenda. Robert Lewandowski, last year’s top scorer and the team’s biggest name in attack, is out of the 2025 Joan Gamper Trophy match this Sunday against Como from Italy. The Polish forward has picked up a muscle issue in his left hamstring and now there’s doubt over whether he’ll be ready for Barcelona’s La Liga opener against Mallorca next Saturday.
The club put out an official statement saying he won’t be available for the friendly, which usually doubles as the squad’s presentation to the fans. His return will depend on how he responds over the next few days. Still, Spanish newspaper As has hinted at a more worrying timeline, reporting that the No. 9 could miss up to three weeks. If that happens, he might not be back until after the September international break.
A big hole to fill in the attack
Last season, Lewandowski once again led the team in goals — 42 in 52 competitive matches. His role goes beyond putting the ball in the net. He pulls defenders out of position, creates space for others and has the knack for showing up in decisive moments. Take him out, and the team loses a forward who knows how to turn tight games in their favor and forces opponents to change the way they defend.
For Sunday’s Gamper match, the likely stand-ins are Marcus Rashford or Ferrán Torres. Rashford offers pace and movement, but he’s still finding his place here. Ferrán already knows the club’s style, though he doesn’t bring the same finishing power or presence in the box. Either way, the setup will be different. Without a fixed target in the middle, midfielders and wingers will need to take on more responsibility in finishing plays.
The risk this absence lingers
Hamstring problems are nothing new in soccer. This one isn’t being labeled as serious just yet, but it has to be handled with care. Rushing a comeback could turn a short layoff into something much longer.
Barcelona’s staff will have to keep a close watch on his recovery, balancing the need to have him back quickly with the bigger picture of keeping him fit for the long haul. The season’s schedule is heavy — La Liga, the Champions League, Copa del Rey and being without Lewandowski for any significant stretch could seriously impact their ambitions.